ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
QSRLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 90/100FDD data: 2022 · Stale

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Chicken in a Barrel BBQ.

Based on 2022 FDD · 5 filings in corpus

This page is using 2022 FDD source data. Verify the franchisor's current FDD before relying on costs, fees, or Item 19.

FranchiseIQ Score
68
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
B
72/100
5/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
Unlock 10 Reports — Start with Chicken in a Barrel BBQAlready have access? Sign in →

Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Chicken in a Barrel BBQ franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Chicken in a Barrel BBQ franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $245K – $688K. Reported owner economics show $33K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$245K – $688K
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$33K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
14.2 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costsEstimate franchise ROICheck SBA default ratesBrowse QSR franchisesCompare similar franchises

Quick fee read: $35K franchise fee · 8% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to Chicken in a Barrel BBQ, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
Unlock 10 reports — start with Chicken in a Barrel BBQView sample report first

$19.99 one-time · Includes 10 reports · 7-day satisfaction guarantee

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ Franchise Analysis

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ requires a total initial investment of $245K to $688K (midpoint approximately $466K), with an initial franchise fee of $35K. The ongoing fee burden is 8% (6% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.

According to Item 19 of the 2022 FDD, the median revenue for Chicken in a Barrel BBQ locations is $658K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $33K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 7.1% with a payback period of approximately 14.2 years.

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ operates approximately 0 franchised units. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 0.0% is well below the industry average of approximately 9.4%, indicating strong franchisee financial outcomes.

Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.

Analysis based on 2022 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology

Total Investment Range$245K$688K
MinMid: $466KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$35K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
2%
Total Burden
8.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
-
Net Unit Growth
-
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
7.1%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
14.2 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
$658K
Item 19 disclosed
Premium Data

Unlock Full Franchise Analysis

Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for Chicken in a Barrel BBQ.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
Unlock 10 Reports - $19.99

Or sign in if you already purchased

Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ vs. QSR Average

MetricChicken in a Barrel BBQQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate0.0%9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return7.1%14.2%
Total Investment$466K$380K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2023-2024). 3 loans across 1 states.

Default Rate
0.0%
Low Risk
Total SBA Loans
3
1 states
Total Loan Volume
$650K
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$217K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
0
Paid in Full (0%)
3
Currently Active
0
Charged Off
$0
Total Charged Off ($)
Paid Active Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

Chicken in a Barrel BBQ vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Chicken in a Barrel BBQ vs McDonald'sChicken in a Barrel BBQ vs Get Fried

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K$2.3M
McDonald's
Revenue Only
$1.5M$2.7M
Get Fried
Revenue Only
$102K$505K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
McDonald's
$1.5M – $2.7M
Get Fried
$102K – $505K
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
$422K – $1.2M

Related Blog Posts

FDD Item 7: Estimated Initial Investment - What It Really Costs to Open a Franchise (2026) | FranchiseIQ

FDD Item 7 breaks down every cost category required to open a franchise - from the franchise fee ...

2026-03-20 · General
SBA Franchise Loan Approval Rates: Which Brands Get Funded (2026 Data) | FranchiseIQ

SBA 7(a) franchise loan approval rates by brand, default rates by sector, and what lenders look f...

2026-04-03 · Consistently High SBA Loan Volume
How to Finance a Franchise: SBA Loans, ROBS, and Beyond (2026) | FranchiseIQ

Compare every franchise financing option - SBA 7(a) loans, SBA 504 loans, ROBS (401k rollovers), ...

2026-03-23 · General
The Complete Guide to SBA 7(a) Franchise Loans (2026) | FranchiseIQ

Everything you need to know about SBA 7(a) franchise loans - eligibility, the SBA Franchise Direc...

2026-03-23 · General
The Complete Guide to SBA Loans for Franchise Buyers (2026) | FranchiseIQ

Everything franchise buyers need to know about SBA 7(a) and 504 loans: rates, down payments, time...

2024-04-02 · General
📬 Get notified when Chicken in a Barrel BBQ changes fees
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Chicken in a Barrel BBQ franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Chicken in a Barrel BBQ's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Chicken in a Barrel BBQ disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Chicken in a Barrel BBQValidation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

Explore More

All QSR FranchisesBest Fast Food FranchisesLow-Cost FranchisesChicken in a Barrel BBQ vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Franchises With Item 19Industry Benchmarks